Nail concern: Hang Nails

Underlying issues: This is usually a sign of a poor hydration to the cuticle, a bad manicure and also being a nail biter.

Solution: Intensive treatment for your cuticles whether it be through a gentle manicure in a salon or using an at-home care program using a daily cuticle treatment oil rich in vitamins E and F that will soften the skin and loosen overgrown cuticles. Also take care to remove the excess skin gently with appropriate cuticle removing products and tools. If you are a nail biter, get on top of this bad habit with a topically applied nail biting deterrent like Mavala Stop, which has a distinct bitter taste to deter this bad habit.

Nail concern: Soft, peeling nails

Do you experience soft, flexible nails that peel or tear easily?

Underlying issues: The most common causes of soft nails are prolonged exposure to certain substances (detergents or solvents) without wearing gloves and nutritional deficiencies, in particular, silicium. Soft nails can also be caused by taking certain medication and even by an unhealthy lifestyle including lack of sleep, exercise and a poor diet.

Nail concern: Dry, splitting and brittle nails

Do your nails lack sheen, elasticity and resistance to impact? Do you find they break or splinter easily?

Underlying issues: Usually a key indicator of a poor diet – dietary deficiencies not only prevent nails from growing normally, but can also cause weakness and brittleness. This nail disorder can also be linked to fatigue and illnesses (like metabolic problems, anemia or endocrine disorders).

Solution: Eat well and minimise nail contact with harsh substances. Vitamins A, B, C, D and E are the most important for healthy nails, so ensure your diet covers the full spectrum of food groups. Minerals like calcium, iodine, iron and magnesium are also essential. It may help to apply a nutritive nail solution to restore hydration and elasticity – and keep nails short to minimise trauma and damage.

Nail concern: Nail ridges

Underlying issues: This can be linked back to a variety of factors including diet, certain dermatological disorders or even an illness. Diet plays such an important factor with healthy nail growth, that it’s the most common cause of these irregularities. Ridges often indicate a lack of the mineral sulfur in your diet. The mineral sulfur is readily available in protein rich foods such as meat, poultry, eggs and milk – tricky for vegans.

Nail concern: White spots

This condition affects the nail plate and is caused by small air bubbles being trapped between nail cells.

Underlying issues: If you suffer, chances are it could be hereditary but spots can also be caused by other factors like bad tissue nutrition, poor keratinisation and trauma from an overly zealous manicure. These spots are also linked to menstruation.

Solution: Go gentle on your nails and improve your diet with foods that promote healthy nail growth like carrots, green vegetables, eggs and fish. Want them camouflaged? Hide them under a nail polish that’s free from toxic ingredients like parabens, camphor and nickel. Mavala nail polishes are 12-free, vegan and safe to use on nails.